Islam Information
Basic Beliefs that Muslims hold:
1- There is one God called Allah who created everything and is all powerful.
2- Angels are God’s servants and messengers- The chief angel is Gabriel, Gabriel was an angel that bought the message of guidance from all prophets including Abraham is considered the ‘father of prophets’.
3- There have been many prophets but Muhammad was the final one.
4- There have been many books sent by God to people through the prophets- Qur’an is the final of these books.
5- Doctrine of bodily resurrection of all people on the “Last Day”- Day of Judgement.
The 5 Pillars of Islam
This is the essentials of Islam Practice
1. Salat/Salah- Ritual prayer 5 times daily
2. Shahadah- Declaration of faith- “There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger”
3. Zakat/Zalah- a set proportion (usually 2.5%) of ones total wealth is donated each year for charitable and needy purposes eg Mosque building, student scholarship, the needy.
4. Sawm- Fasting. Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan.
5. Hajj- Pilgrimage to Makkah. For those who can afford it a pilgrimage would be taken to Makkah at least once in the life of a Muslim. Makkah is the birth place of Muhammad and is the site of the Ka’bah, which is the shrine Muslims believe Abraham re-built. During the Hajj Muslims walk around the Ka’bah 7 times.
Scriptures, Holy books and Sacred writings
The Qur’an
The word Qur’an means ‘recitation’. Muslims believe the Qur’an to be the actual word of God. Muhammad received the word of God and these revelations were memorised and written down. It is believed to contain guidance for how to live their lives.
The Qur’an contains 114 surahs (chapters) each with its own title.
Originally written in Arabic, which is used in the Mosque.
The Qur’an should only be handled when one is ritually clean. As such, when we use the Qur’an in school we should wash our hands as a sign of understanding and respect. It should not be placed directly on the floor, but on a stand.
It should be stored on the highest shelf with no books or other objects on top of it.
Dress
The following are guidelines as the Qur’an does not lay down specific rules:
1. Men must cover their body from naval to knee.
2. Women must cover their whole body, except face and hands in the presence of men who are not close relations.
3. Women shouldn’t wear clothes that reveal their figure.
4. Pure silk clothes and gold ornaments are not allowed for men.
5. Nudity is forbidden even in single sex groupings. Uncovering the body in the presence of another person is permissible only between husband and wife and for medical reasons.
Tigiyah- cap
During prayer Muslim men usually wear a Taaqiyyah. It is sometimes crocheted and sometimes embroidered and is usually white.
Women have their heads covered with a scarf at all times as it is considered modest.
The Mosque
The name means “place of prostration”.
The qiblah is the wall which shows the direction of the Ka’bah and therefore the direction Muslims stand to pray. In this wall is an alcove called a Mihrab from where the address is given. The address is given by the Imam- someone who is well versed in the Qur’an and who is the leader.
Salah takes place 5 times a day, with special prayers on Fridays (the Holy day).
On entrance to the Mosque shoes are removed.
Men and women worship separately.
The Mosque has no pictorial representations of any living creature, human or animal, as this could lead to idolatry.
The adhan (call to prayer) is called from the minaret (tower) of a mosque by the imam. The call is heard on Fridays, though can be called on other days too.
Purpose built Mosque’s have a dome, though few in Britain do. A Mosque has no seating as it is not needed for prayer. The floor may be covered in carpet or prayer mats are available at the entrance.
The interior of the Mosque is usually ornate, covered with traditional Islamic designs.
Salah
FAJR- Dawn
ZUHR- Early Afternoon
ASR- Late Afternoon
MAGHRIB- Immediately after sunset
ISHA- Night
A ritual wash (Wudu) precedes each prayer in an area set aside for this. The hands are washed, then thje nostrils, face, arms, top of the head, neck, ears and the feet.
A Muslim can pray anywhere that is clean and tidy. The usual way to make a place special for prayer is to unroll a prayer mat. This usually has a design resembling the dome of a mosque. It is positioned to face Makkah. Prayer mats usually have distinctive Islamic patterns.
Performing salah is not only saying particular words but also making speific movements. When Muslims pray they take positions which remind them of how they should behave in front of their creator.
Festivals
Ramadan
A very important religious observance for Muslims. The fasting is called Sawm.
Muslims are required to totally abstain from all drink, food, tobacco and sexual relations during the hours of daylight.
Muslims who are pregnant, have just had a baby or who are too old or ill are excused. Many Muslims break their fast, as Muhammad did, with a snack of dates and water just after sunset. They believe that fasting frees them from slavery to desires and gluttony.
Fasting makes people feel tired and by sunset everyone is ready to eat.
Id ul-Fitr
The festival is at the end of the month of fasting. Muslims celebrate the fact that Allah revealed the Qur’an to Muhammad and that Allah gave them the strength to fast. In Muslim countries it is an observed holiday.
Muslims will bathe, wear new clothes, and visit friends and relatives. Presents and money are given to children, and special food, especially sweets and puddings are made and served.
Some Muslim girls and women will decorate their hand with Mehndi patterns, done with henna.
Id cards are sent. The cards are colourful and inexpensive and follow the basic rules of Islamic art- no representations of human or animals. Many cards have the greeting Eid Mubarak- meaning Happy Festival.
Id-ul-Adha
This is the feat of sacrifice, a four day festival to mark the end of Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) and commemorates the Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son for Allah. It is a time of rejoicing and celebration.
Food
Muslims should only eat food that is good and pure. Muslims believe that anything which comes from pigs or carnivorous animals is not pure.
Other animals can only be eaten provided it has been killed with one stroke of a very sharp knife, penetrating the inner part of the neck. The name of Allah should be said as the animal is killed. Halal means permitted or lawful. Haram means not permitted or unlawful.
Example of Halal food- Lamb chop, apple, rice, pineapple, chicken, eggs.
Example of Haram food- pork chop, bacon, wine, animal fat.
Muhammad
Muhammad (PBUH) was the main prophet of Islam. He was born in the Arabian Peninsula, what is now known as Saudi Arabia in a city called Makkah in 570. Makkah is now known now as Mecca.
Muhammad was poor, both of his parents died by the time he was six years old. He grew up honest and trustworthy. He did not like conditions where he lived and often went out into the mountains to think about life. One day while he sat and thought, God's messenger the Angel Gabriel came and gave him a message from God. This happened regularly over a period of years. The words sent by God were recorded and are the content of the Qur'an, the Muslim holy book. Whenever Muhammad's name is mentioned there is a recitation that many Muslims automatically say to think on his holiness; that is "Peace be upon him." When his name is written it will always have the letters (PBUH) after.
All muslims believe that Islam existed from the day Adam and Eve were sent down to earth. Abraham was given all the duties and practices of Islam. Other prophets were Noah, Ismail, Isaac, Joseph, Moses, David, Solomon and Jesus. They all spread the word of God. Muslims believe that Muhammad (PBUH) is the last prophet of God to be sent to the world.
Muhammad started to teach the local community but the people who listened to him were persecuted and eventually forced to leave the area. They all went to Medina. This marks the start of the Islamic calendar because Muhammad (PBUH) founded the first Muslim community there. He died in the city of Medina at approximately 60 years old. Eventually their numbers were strong so they returned to Makkah triumphant in battle. The people from Makkah became Muslims.
There is no picture of Muhammad (PBUH), Muslims do not worship any image because pictures are of man and they take great care they only worship God who has no image.
Marriage rules
Here are some of the laws that Muslims try to keep.
Women
1. Muslim women have the main responsibility for looking after and caring for their family
2. Muslim women may not marry men who are not Muslims
3. Muslim women should not have more than one husband at a time
Men
1. Muslim men should pay some money to the women they marry- this is usually called a dowry
2. Muslim men may marry women who are not Muslim, if they are practising Christians or Jews
3. A Muslim man should not force his non-Muslim wife to become a Muslim
4. In special cases, and if the law of the country allows it, a Muslim man may have up to four wives at a time, as long as he treats them all the same